Dearly Beloved,
Our Master Plan Potluck and Presentation last Sunday was a great success, thanks to the excellent PowerPoint projections on our big screen accompanied by Jim Stone's masterful narrative summarizing the Master Plan Committee's process and showcasing some of the floor plans and drawings of the current proposal. Great thanks also to Sybil Ten Eyck for organizing the potluck portion, and for the indefatigable help of Lyle in setting up and cleaning up with her.
If you missed Jim's presentation, he will offer a shortened version this Sunday after the Nine O'Clock Service in Founders Hall, followed by a Q & A session and an opportunity to hear your suggestions and comments.
Come Join the St. Gregory's Team! As part of our summer sabbatical activities we're kicking off the season with a team event. Come join fellow parishioners on Saturday, June 20, at 1:00 p.m. at the Ft. Sheridan Forest Preserve, and participate in the 8th Annual Walk to End Homelessness. Signup Sheets are available outside the parish office. You can walk, donate, or do both.
All ages are welcome. The full course is 4 miles with a 1 mile version available which takes you back to the starting point/parking lot. We'll have a St. Gregory "camp" and gather for food and fellowship at the end of the walk. PADS staff will be available to provide more information about their services and how we might provide ongoing support.
If you have questions please contact Nancy Nichols at 847-913-5836.
Additional information about PADS (the second in a series):
Apart from providing emergency housing, PADS has other programs and facilities to help the homeless. Last week we looked at the Assessment Center. This week we begin with The Family Center to ensure that families experiencing homelessness get the assistance they need to maintain their dignity. Because it is open 24 hours a day, children can catch their school buses in their own neighborhood rather than at the PADS Assessment Center, and, when they're sick, they can stay in their own beds, and when the weather is bad, they don't have to be outside. It helps kids get to be kids.
The Veteran House is a 10-unit permanent supportive housing program used to prevent chronic homelessness for veterans. As Nancy Nichols reported on Sunday, 25% of all veterans are homeless. The Veteran House is based on the Consumer Preference Supported Housing Model which states that housing is a basic right for all people.
Safe Haven is a housing program for 15 adult participants who are chronically homeless and who have a serious mental illness, usually schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
At its Spring Luncheon Meeting, the Altar Guild thanked and recognized Fran Cook for her four years of service as the co-President of the Altar Guild, and given a silver charm bearing a design which looks very much like the Altar depicted in the clip art as a token of the members' appreciation. Cissy Singleton is the new Co-President with Sybil Ten Eyck, and Judy Stevens as Vice-President, Mary Keller (who hosted the luncheon) as Secretary, Marcia Bazzoni as Treasurer, Cathy Leimbeck as Flower Chairperson, and Fran Ingram and Diane Jones as Wedding Chairpersons continue their service to the Altar Guild and also to all of us who worship faithfully.
Chalice instructions. The response to my information about the Common Cup and the H1N1 flu virus elicited some suggestions that I offer some more guidelines about receiving the Blood of our Lord at Holy Communion. When the Eucharistic Minister offers the Chalice to you, please gently grasp the base of the chalice between your thumbs and forefingers and help the Eucharistic Minister guide the chalice to your lips. After drinking from the Chalice, please remain kneeling, or standing, until the person on your left has finished drinking; that will help prevent accidental spills.
Lynn Mayer is recovering from surgery on her leg, and she is allowed little activity while she heals over the next 6 or more weeks. If you would like to send her cards or visit her to help relieve the tedium of her long convalescence, her address is McGaw Care Center, 3200 Grant Street, Evanston, IL 60201.
Calling all rising 3rd graders, 4th graders, and new and current Acolytes. Our new Archacolytes and I will be offering Acolyte Training on Sunday, May 31, following the Nine O'Clock Service. Eucharistic Ministers who would also like to learn the acolytes' duties are invited to come as well.
Faithfully yours,
"We are ambassadors for Christ, God appealing to the world through us." 2 Corinthians 5:20
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